http://www.care2.com/greenliving/aromatic-diffuser-tips-treatments.html
Aromatic Diffuser Tips and Treatments
Adapted from The Aromatherapy Companion, by Victoria H. Edwards (Storey Publishing, 1999).
Air fresheners and disinfectants are no-no’s for good quality indoor air. But, hark, listen to this: The therapeutic effects of diffused essential oils on the respiratory system are especially helpful during the cold and flu season because the diffused oils destroy airborne bacteria in the home. By using a diffuser, it is possible to dispense a therapeutic aromatherapy treatment to a number of people simultaneously. Here’s how diffusers work, plus formulas for cold and flu prevention and treatment.
There are many ways of scenting an environment. Incense has been used to deliver scent for thousands of years. More recently candle burners, simmering potpourri pots and light bulb rings have all become popular methods of dispersing scent atmospherically. Although these methods are aesthetically pleasing, they are not the best choices for aromatherapy. Commercial incense and potpourris are often rounded out with synthetic scents; their purity is unreliable. Additionally, incense smoke may transmit harsh, and even carcinogenic, chemicals along with its pleasing aroma. Candle burners and light bulb rings can overheat delicate essential oils, changing their chemical makeup.
Diffusers act quite differently. Without altering or heating oils, they disperse them into the environment via an air jet pump connected to a glass bell. A nebulizer within the glass bell diffuses a fine mist of negatively charged, scented ions into the atmosphere, much the same way that nature spreads fragrance.
The aromatic diffuser first appeared in Paris in 1960, when Dr. Bidault demonstrated the germicidal action of aromatic essences on tuberculosis, whooping cough and influenza. His clinical observations indicated that disinfection of the air surrounding a patient at a therapeutic preventive effect. At the University of Paris School of Pharmacy, students tested his theories by collecting samples of air from an urban factory, the forest of Fontainebleau on the outskirts of the city, and from a Parisian flat. By diffusing various essential oils into sealed chambers containing the air samples, they were able to validate the effectiveness of the essential oils against airborne bacteria and molds.
The modern aromatic diffuser is a natural alternative to aerosol deodorizers and chemical air fresheners.
(Read Care2’s Easy Greening about air fresheners.)
Using a diffuser is an excellent way of purifying the environment as well as administering the uplifting, rejuvenating, or relaxing effects of selected oils or blends to a group.
Diffuser Blends for Special Purposes
Respiration: Eucalyptus, lavender, inula.
Clean air: Lavandin, lemon, MQV.
Purifier: Thymus ‘linaol’, T. vulgaris, lemon.
Cold and flu blend: Oregano, lavender, eucalyptus, thyme, clove, cinnamon, peppermint.
Blend Formulas
Healthy breath blend: 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil, 20 drops lavender essential oil.
Gripping cough blend: 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil, 20 drops ravensara essential oil.
Bronchial asthma blend: 1 teaspoon hyssop essential oil, 1 teaspoon rosemary essential oil, 1 teaspoon ammi essential oil, ½ teaspoon blue chamomile essential oil.
Bronchitis with mucus blend: 1 teaspoon eucalyptus essential oil, 1 teaspoon eucalyptus dives essential oil, mQV essential oil.
Cold and flu prevention: 1 teaspoon lavender essential oil, 1 teaspoon eucalyptus essential oi; ¾ teaspoon ravensara essential oil; ½ teaspoon bay laurel essential oil.
Caution: Consult with a doctor before using essential oils if you are pregnant or have health concerns where essential oils may be contraindicated, such as with allergies.
Go to the Source
The Aromatherapy Companion
Medicinal Uses/Ayurvedic Healing/Body-Care Blends/Perfumes & Scents/Emotional Health & Well-Being (Herbal Body).buy nowrelated stories
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add your comment »My infant was extremely congested at nights, so I purchased a vapourizer, under the company VICKS (same as the vapour rub), that consists of a plastic tub in which salted water boils, and has a small canister on top, to which eucalyptus oil is added, which is dispersed by the hot vapours from the boiling water beneath. It also has a green light on the lid, to let you know that its plugged in. Is this machine equivalent to the light bulb rings you mentioned? Is this unhealthy for my infant?
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Do reed diffusers work the same way?
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Thank you all for the valuable information. I have long contemplated the use of diffusers, and now I know what to look for. Wishing you all health and well-being!!
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There are actually three types of diffusers that I know about. There is a low-tech diffuser that is ceramic with a space on the bottom for a small candle with a small bowl or indentation on the top for water and a few drops of oil. There are also electric diffusers that hold blotter paper and work either with a wall plug or a car plug. All can generally be found in health food stores, massage supply stores, or "New Age" stores.
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Yes, where? What does it look like?
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Best place to get a diffuser? Thank you.
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Kobashi oils from the UK and Tisserand both sell excellent pharmaceutical grade oils and the pricing is very competitive.
AnnIn Maine
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Thank You, Annie - this is valuable info!
I regularly diffuse therapeutic/medical grade essential oils via a cold air diffuser to clean & oxygenate the air in my home, office, classroom, & car.
It is important to choose a therapeutic/medical grade oil to diffuse, as we actually ingest micro molecules of essential oil as we breathe them into our lungs. However only 2% of the world's essential oils are certified therapeutic/medical grade, and the USA does not certify essential oils.
The only company I know of in the USA which produces a therapeutic/medical grade oil which is AFNOR certified & ISO quality, meaning they can be and are used in hospitals worldwide, is Young Living Essential Oils. In addition to a wide variety of single oils & essential oils blends, they also offer a cold air diffuser.
For more info, email me at stardance@earthlink.net. Or, gp direct to the YLEO website at www.youngliving.us, and use my member number 393659 to order/enroll.
Thanks & Aloha,
Jud!th CremaRosa
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